Wire-fence machine.



No. 637,29l. Patented Nov. 2|; I899. J. A. a. A. m. SCHEYHING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application fi led Apr. 7, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I,

(No Model.)

Che; llj egfors N0. 637,29l. Patented Nov. 2|, I899.

J. A. & A. M. SCHEYHING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 7, 1899.

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 RI Tens ca. PHOYO-LITNO..WASHXNGTON u c N0. 637,29l.Patented Nov. 2|, I899. J. A. &. A. M. SCHEYHING.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 7, 1899.

No Model) 4 Sheets-8heet 3.

VAII

7 all/ll,

TH: uoams PETERS cm, Puma-mum WASHINGTON, n. c.

JOHN ARTHUR SOHEYHING AND AARON MATHIAS SOHEYIIING, OF EATON, OHIO.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,291, dated November21, 1899.

Application filed April 7,1899. Serial No. 712,090. (No model.)

T at whom it ntcty concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN ARTHUR SOHEY- HING and AARON MATHIASSCHEYHING, citizens of the United States, residing at Eaton,

in the county of Preble and State of Ohio, have invented a new anduseful Wire-Fence Machine, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to wire-fabric ma- IO chines especially designedfor service in the field for the fabrication of a wire fence, althoughsome of the operative parts are capable of embodiment in a stationarymachine for use in a factory for the production of wire fabrics.

In the embodiment of the invention we employ a twister mechanismoperative by rotating the driving-shaft continuously in one directionfor the proper operation of twist- 2o ing the woof-wires aroundlongitudinal warp wires or strands and of separating the woofwires inthe intervals between the twisting operations to form the mesh. Withthis woofwire-twisting mechanism is associated a pro- 2 5 pelling oradvancing mechanism which is operative from the same shaft that drivesthe twisting mechanism, said propelling or advancing mechanism beingoperated automatically and. intermittently with the twister mechanism at0 regular intervals and during the periods of shifting the shuttles orspool-carriers, so that the machine may be advanced bodily for theproper spacing of the wires to form the meshes of the fabric.

We are aware that it has been common to provide a portable fence-machinewith a twister mechanism and a propelling mechanism; but in mostmachines of this type the propellin g mechanism is operative by handinde- 0 pendently of the twister mechanism. This requires the operatoror attendant to operate one mechanism for the twister and another,usually a lever, for the propelling mechanism; but this requires timeand attention. We embody in a portable machine the twister mechanism andthe propulsion mechanism operative from a single source of power andworking in unison one with the other to twist and spread the woof-wiresand advance the ma- 5o chine in intervals between the twist and duringthe separation of the wires, thus dispensing with separate means for theoperation of the propulsion devices, simplifying the structure, andsaving time and labor in the operation.

We believe ourselves to be the first to embody the twister mechanism andthe propelling mechanism, both operative from a single shaft, with meansfor causing the propel ling mechanism to remain inactive during thetwisting operation and to automatically come into play during theshifting of the twister elements, and we desire to protect thiscombination of mechanisms broadly and irrespective of the particularconstruction which will hereinafter be described as the preferredembodiment of the invention, although we of course make claim to suchpreferred construction not only of the twister mechanism, but also ofthe propelling mechanism.

The twister mechanism embraces a series of rotary elements or supportsintergeared for operation simultaneously from a single master or powerwheel, a series of shuttles or spoolcarriers in active relation to saidrotary elements, and time-controlled clutch devices operativesimultaneously from the master-wheel and adapted to make the shuttles orspoolcarriers fast with alternate rotary elements or supports. In onerelation of the shuttles to the rotary elements a pair of shuttles areclutched to the alternate rotary elements to rotate therewith twicearound the strandwires, leaving the intermediate rotary elements idlebetween the active rotary elements; but by the operation of an automaticshifter contrivance this relation of the shuttles to the rotary elementsat the completion of the twist is reversed, so that the shuttles areclutched to those twisters which formerly remained idle, and thealternate active twisters thus become the idle twisters, all theseoperations of rotating and shifting the shuttles being accomplishedautomatically and by rotating the shaft continuously in one direction.

The timing-clutches are controlled automatically from a single shiftingrod or bar, which is actuated from the master-wheel by coacting cams andprojections arranged to insure easy and free play to the several parts,and each timing-clutch embraces an oscillat ing cam-controlled memberand another element or member capable of both rotary and endwisemovement with relation to the rotary elements or twisters and theshuttles.

The propulsion mechanism in its preferred embodiment contemplates theemployment of revolnble grippers arranged to engage with thestrand-wires, and is driven at intervals from a mutilated gear that isrotated by the master-wheel, the rotation of the gripper driving-gearbeing so timed as to rotate the grippers during the periods of theshifting play of the shuttles from the active rotary elements to thepreviously-inactive rotary elements or twisters.

The invention further consists in the novel combination of mechanismsand in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, whichwill be hereinafter more fully described and claimed;

To enable others to understand the invention, we have illustrated apreferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation ofa fence-machine constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 isan elevation of the twister mechanism, with the shuttles in one positionto rotate with the alternate rotary elements. Fig. 3 is an elevation ofpart of the twister mechanism, with the rotary elements partially turnedand with the shuttles in proper relation to said rotary elements fortwisting the woof-wires around the longitudinal strands. Fig. 4 is anelevation of a part of the twister mechanism, with the shuttles inreverse positions and connected operatively with the previously-inactivetwisters shown by Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the machinelooking at the opposite side from the twister mechanism and illustratingthe propelling mechanism. Fig. (5 is a cross-section of one member ofone clutch shown by Figs. 11, 12, and 19, the plane of section beingindicated by the line 6 (3 of Fig. 19. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectionthrough one of the rotary elements or supports forming a part of thetwister mechanism and showing the timing-clutch retracted fromengagement with the shuttle, the plane of section being indicated by thedotted line 7 7 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is asection similar to Fig. 7, withthe timingclutch projected or advanced to engage with the shuttles toinsure rotation thereof with one of the rotary elements or supports.Fig. 9 is an elevation of the clutch-shifter. Fig. 10 is a side view ofthe shifter-cam removed from the machine. Figs. 11 and 12 are detailperspective views of the two members forming one of the time-controlledclutches. Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view through themaster-wheel, the driving-shaft, and a part of the propelling mechanism,the plane of the section beingindicated by the dotted line l3 13 of.Fig. 5. Fig. 14 is an edge View of the master-wheel. Fig. 15 is across-section through the gripper mechanism, on the line 15 15 of Fig.1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow X. Fig. 16 is adetail view of one of the two-part brackets for the gripper-shafts. Fig.17is adetail perspective view of one of the shuttles. Fig. 18 is adetail sectional view through a series of two of the shiftable clutches,showing said clutches engaged with a shipping-rod. Fig. 19 is across-section of one clutch member on the line 1019 of Fig. 6.

The same numerals and letters of reference are used to indicate like andcorresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

In embodying our invention in a portable machine adapted for service ina field for the fabrication of a wire fence we employ an upright frame.(Indicated by the numeral 20 in the drawings.) This frame may consist ofa single post, as shown by the drawings, or it may be composed of aframe having two main members, each in the form of an angular metallicbar, said frame members beingjoined rigidly and firmly together in anyWay which will suggest itself to a skilled constructor. The frame 20 isadapted to carry all of the operating parts of the machine for theapplication of woof-wires to longitudinal strandwires and for feedingthe-machine lengthwise of the strand-wires.

For the accommodation of the rotary elements forming in part the twistermechanism we employ a series of stationary shaft-boxings 21, each ofwhich is cast or otherwise formed in a single piece of metal forsimplicity and strength. The shaft-boxings 21 are arranged in series invertical alinement with each other lengthwise of the machine-frame 20,and said boxings 21 are spaced at proper intervals apart to permit therotary elements or supports to be spaced correspondingly to the spacingof the strand-wires-and for the said rotary elements to be intergearedfor rotation simultaneously. Each shaft-boxing is provided at one endwith a flange or plate 22, that is fitted laterally against the frame 20and is secured firmly thereto by suitable screws or other fasteningdevices, whereby the boxing is held firmly in the frame. One end of atubular shaft extends beyond the boxing to form a shoulder 23, on whichis fitted a bell-shaped mouthpiece 24, that is adapted to permit thestrand-wires to pass through the tubular shaft of the rotary element orsupport. This bell-shaped mouth is especially desirable when barbedwires are used as the longitudinal strands of the fence, and saidmouthpiece is fastened securely to the tubular shaft by a suitable screw25. The opposite end of each boxing 2l is provided with studs 26 27,which project from the outside of said boxing at diametrically oppositepoints, and one of these studs is engaged with the oscillating mem berof one ti me-con trolled clutch for the rotary element or support andthe shuttles adapted to be carried thereby.

The portable machine of our invention is equipped with a series of tenrotary elements or supports, which are fitted to the series ofshaft-boxings in vertical alinem ent with each other. Nine of theserotary supports are indicated by the reference-letters A B, O, E, F, G,H, I, and J, and in connection with the series of rotary elements weemploy an intermediate rotary master-wheel D, forming one of the trainof rotary elements or supports, the wheel D being interposed between therotary elements 0 and E and serving as the means by which all of theoperative devices for the twister mechanism are actuated from a singlepower-shaft, the latter also serving as the means for driving thegearing by which the grippers of the propulsion mechanism are rotatedintermittently with the operation of said twister mechanism.

Each rotary element or support A to J, inelusive, consists of atubularshaft 28, a gear 29, and a shnttle-bar30, all being formed in a singlepiece of metal. The shuttle-bar 30 is arranged transversely across theface of the gear 29 for its ends to terminate within the pitch-line ofthe gear-teeth thereon, and the end portions of this shuttle-bar arearranged laterally with respect to the face of the gear in order to formthe spaces 31 32 between the shuttle-bar and the face of the gear, saidspaces being of sufficient width to accommodate the heads of theshuttles to be hereinafter described. The shuttle-bar of each rotaryelement or support is notched at its ends, as at 33, in order to receivethe central studs on the shuttles, and said rotary support isfurthermore provided with clutchreceiving holes 34 35, locateddiametrically opposite the axis of the tubular shaft and extendingthrough the face of the gear 29 and through the shuttle-bar 30, theclutchreceiving openings lying within the notched ends of theshuttle-bar. The master-wheel D likewise has a tubular shaft 36 and anotched clutch-bar 36 so that in some respects the master-wheelresembles the other rotary supports employed in the machine; but thismaster-wheel is modified in its construction in material respects inorder that it may be operated from the driving-shaft and to adapt it forthe operation of the shifting device by which the entire train oftimecontrolled clutches are properly controlled. Said master-wheel isprovided with a rim on which is formed a series of gear-teeth 37, havingthe inner ends thereof beveled at 37, and this rim and series of teethprovide an annular flange 38 on the innerpart of the master-wheel whichlies next to the frame 20. This annular flange is smooth and continuousexcept for the transverse notch 39,which is formed at one point in theperimeter of said flange. The flange is thus divided or broken, and theends thereof terminate in rounded edges, (indicated by the numeral 40,)and from the inner face of this master-wheel projects a stud or pin 41,which is situated within the annular divided flange 38 thereof 1 at apoint nearly opposite one of the rounded edges 40 of said flange. Theexternal smooth surface of the annular flange 38 is adapted to ride orimpinge against the clutch-shifter for the purpose of holdingthe latterin a sta tionary position during the rotation of the master-wheel D, butat one point in the rotation of said master-wheel one of the roundededges 40 of said flange is adapted to impinge against the clutch-shifterfor the pur pose of moving the latter to a proper position forengagement by the pin 41 on said master-wheel D, so that the shifterwill be positioned and operated by the master-wheel, the shifter beingrotated on its axis with a step-by-step motion during the continuousrotation of the master-wheel in one direction.

A series of ti thing-clutches 42 are associated with the series ofrotary elements or supports and the master-wheel, and one element ofeach clutch is arranged to rotate continuously with its correspondingrotary support or element, while the other clutch element is capable ofan oscillating movement on the stationary shaft-boxing 21 for thepurpose of advancing and retracting the revoluble member of the clutch,whereby the latter is moved endwise simultaneously with its revolublemovement for engagement with the pair of shuttles which are adapted torotate with the rotary element or support. Each timingclutch has anoscillating member 43, which is cast in a single piece of metal in aform suitable for application to the protruding end of the shaft-boxing21. The oscillating member is fitted loosely 011 the shaft-boxing toturn or oscillate thereon, and it is formed with internal right and lefthand spiral grooves 44 45, which receive the diametrically oppositestuds 26 27 on the stationary shaft-boxing 21. The oscillating clutchmember is thus free to turn on the shaft-boxing and to move end- 'wisethereon, the endwise movement being given to the clutch member 43 by themovement of a shifting clutch-bar, so that the spiral grooves 44 45 willcoact with the studs 26 27 on the stationary shaft-boxing. Theoscillating clutch member 43 is furthermore provided on one end with anarc-shaped grooved flange 46, and it is formed with alaterally-extending finger 47. The shiftable and rotary member of theclutch is indicated at 48, and it is cast in a single piece of meta-1.Said clutch member 48 has a continuous annular flange 49 and acorresponding groove 50, and from the clutch member extenddiametricallypositioned clutch-arms 5152. The clutch member 48 has itsflange 49 fitted in the grooved flange 46 of the clutch member 43 in aposition for the groove 50 of the clutch member 48 to receive the flange46 on the clutch member 43, and thus the two clutch members are coupledtogether for the member 48 to partake of the shifting movement of themember 43, while at the same time the member 48 is free to rotate in thegrooved flange 46 of the member 43, whereby the member 48 may rotatecontinuously with the rotary support or element, and the two clutchmembers are capable of shifting movement or play endwise on thestationary boxing 21. The grooved construction of the two clutch memberscouples them together against accidental separation when the parts areproperly assembled with relation to the shaft-boxing and the rotarysupport, and the clutch member 48 is disposed closely to the inner faceof the gear on the rotary support, so that the clutch-arms 51 52 of saidmember 48 will pass through the slots or holes 34 in said rotarysupport. When the pair of shuttles are not connected to the rotarysupport, the clutch 43 48 is so positioned with relation to the rotarysupport that the arms 51 52 are retracted flush with the outer face ofthe gear on the rotary element; but the clutch member 48 has suchclutch-arms 51 52 in engagement with the holes or slots 34 35 in orderto insure the clutch member 48 rotating with the rotary element orsupport, thus retaining the clutch in proper position with ref-- erenceto the rotary element for the clutcharms 51 52 to engage with theshuttles when the latter are shifted from the active rotary supports tothe previously-in active rotary sup ports. hen this shifting of theshuttles takes place, the clutch member 43 is oscillated by aclutch-shifter for its spiral grooves 44 45 to turn on the stationarystuds 26 27, and thereby advance or move the entire clutch endwise, andthis endwise movement of the clutch on the stationary shaft-boxing movesthe clutch member 48 into close lateral relation with the gear of therotary support, so as to project the clutch-arms 51 52 beyond the outerface of the gear of said rotarysupport, and thereby make the clutch-armsengage with the shuttles, such endwise movement of the clutch beingeffected at the period of shifting movement of the shuttles from theactive rotary supports to the inactive supports.

o employ a single clutch-bar 53 for shifting the entire trainof'timing-clutches 42, said clutch-bar being fitted in a suitable guideor guides 54 011 the machine-frame 20. The shiftable clutch-bar issupported on the machineframe in close relation to the series oftimingclutches for the lateral fingers on the clutch members 43 toengage pivotally or loosely with said clutch-bar. A double yoke 55 isprovided on the clutch-bar 53 at a point close to the master-wheel D,and this yoke is formed with internal cam-faces 56 57, which are curvedon lines reverse to each other. The drivingclutch shifter 58 issupported by a shaft 59 in a position adjacent to the yoke of theclutchbar 53, and this clutch-shifter is formed in a single piece ofmetal with a cam 60 and the flanged disk 61. The shaft 59 of theclutchshifter passes through the yoke 55 of the shiftable bar 53, and itis supported in a suitable bearing on the machine-frame 20. Theclutchshifter is arranged in such relation to the yoke of the bar 53 andthe power-wheel D that its cam 60 Will move or play in the yoke 55 Whileits disk 61 is in active relation to the annular flange 38 on themaster-wheel. The disk 61 of said clutch-shifter is provided with twoseries of flanges 62 63. The main flanges 62 are somewhat longer thanthe auxiliary flanges 63, and said main flanges lie close to the edge ofthe smooth annular flange 38 on the master-wheel and in the path of thestud or pin 41 thereon, while the auxiliary flanges 63 are so positionedwith relation to the flange 38 on the master-wheel as to ride on thesmooth periphery thereof. The short radial flanges 63 are in alternateor staggered relation to the main flanges 62, and these short radialflanges are adapted to be engaged successively by the rounded edges 40of the broken annular flange 38 when the masterwheel D is rotated, inorder that the auxiliary flanges 63 will rotate the clutch-shifterslightly on its axis, and thereby bring one of the main flanges 62 inposition for engagement by the stud 41 of said master-Wheel. Thisoperation of preliminarily moving the clutch-shifter for the pin or stud41 on the master-wheel to engage with one of the main flanges 62 on theshifter reduces the jar and vibration on the shifter and insures theeasy and steady working of the shifting mechanism when the twistermechanism is operated rapidly.

It will be understood that the master-wheel D is propelled continuouslyin one direction and that this continuous rotation is communicated tothe clutch-shifter through the medium of the flange 38 and the stud orpin 41 engaging with the fingers 62 63 on the disk 61 of said clutch-shifter; but the cl utch-shifter is not driven continuously withthe masterwheel, as it has a step-by-step movement in one directioncommunicated thereto. The clutch-shifter is turned a quadrant of acircle at each complete rotation of the m aste r-Wheel, and thisstep-by-step movement of the shifter causes the cam 60 to actalternately against the cam-faces 56 57 on the shiftable bar 53, thusreciprocating the latter alternately in opposite directions. Themovement of the shiftable bar under the influence of the cam on theclutch-shifter is sufficient to change the positions of thetiming-clutches 42 to advance certain of the clutch members 48 intoengagement with the shuttles and to retract certain other clutch members48 from engagement with said shuttles. The timing-clutches for therotary elements A, C, E, G, and I are adapted to be advanced intoengagement with the shuttles when the timing-clutches for the rotaryelements B, D, F, H, and J are retracted from engagement with theshuttles on said rotary elements. This operation is effected byconnecting the spirally-grooved members 43 of the timing-clutches withthe stationary studs on the shaft-boxings in a manner to make thegrooved members of said timingclutches work opposite to each other-thatis to say, the clutch 42 of the rotary element A operates reversely tothe corresponding clutch of the rotary element B, and this order in theoperation of the timing-clutches is preserved throughout the entireseries of clutches for the train of rotary supports or elements formingthe twister mechanism, whereby the adjacent timing-clutches operatereversely to each other. I

We employ a series of shuttles or spool-carriers which are adapted to beconnected with the rotary elements in pairs on alternate rotaryelements, and these shuttles are made fast with alternate rotaryelements by the members 48 of the timing-clutches in a manner to preventthe shuttles from dropping out of place when connected with the rotaryelements and to insure rotation of the pair of said shuttles with therotary elements for the purpose of twisting the woof-wires around thewarps formed by the longitudinal strands of the fence. Each shuttle orspool-carrier is made in a single piece of metal in the form of an openframe, which is provided at its base with a disk 66. The disk of theshuttle is adapted to be fitted in one of the spaces 31 or 32 betweenthe face of the gear and the clutch-bar on the rotary element orsupport, and said shuttle-disk is engaged by one of the prongs or arm's51 or 52 on the clutch member 48 of the'timing-clutch which isassociated with the rotary element on which the shuttle is temporarilymounted. The disk 66 of each shuttle is provided with a central stud 67,having the curved faces 68, and said disk is furthermore provided withclutch-apertures 69 70, which are located at diametrically oppositepoints with relation to the disk 66 and the central stud 67 thereof. Inthe rotation of a pair of shuttles with one of the rotary supports theshuttles are located on diametrically opposite sides of the tubularshaft forming a part of the rotary support, and the disks 66 of theshuttles are received in the spaces 31 32 between the clutch-bar and thegear of said rotary support. The notched ends of the clutch-bar 3Oengage with the central studs 67 on the disks of the shuttles, and thearms 51 52 of the clutch member 48 project through the slots or openings34 35 of the rotary support and the slots 69 in the disks of the twoshuttles, whereby the shuttles are made fast temporarily with one rotarysupport and are prevented from dropping out of place, because theshuttles are confined against lateral displacement by the bar and gearof the rotary support and against edgewise movement by the engagement ofthe clutch-bar 30 with the disk-stud 67 and by the prongs or arms of theclutch member 48 with the openings in the disks of said shuttles. Thisprovision of means for preventing the shuttles from dropping out ofposition when they rotate with the alternate rotary supports, forming inpart the twister mechanism, is an important feature of the twistermechanism in our machine, and the certainty of the operation of twistingthe woof-wires around the strand-wires is thereby promoted. The meansfor connecting the pair of shuttles to a rotary support are very simplein construction and positive in their operation. Each shuttle isdesigned to carry a bobbin or spool 71, on which is coiled the wireadapted to form the woof of the fabric, and each bobbin or spool isarranged within the open frame of the shuttle, so as to be held inposition therein by suitable trunnions or clamping-screws 72.

The entire series of rotary supports for the twister mechanism, as wellas the propulsion mechanism forad vancing the machine bodily, isoperated from a main drivingshaft 73, which is journaled in a suitablebearing 74, that is attached firmly to the frame 20, at one sidethereof, said bearing being braced in its proper position with relationto the masterwheel D by a stay 75, which is fastened at its ends to theframe 20. The inner end of this main driving-shaft 73 is equipped with abevelpinion 76, the teeth of which are adapted to mesh with the beveledends 37 of the series of gear-teeth 37 on the periphery of themaster-wheel D. The driving-shaft 73 may be equipped with a hand-crank77 or other suitable means for rotating said shaft continuouslyin onedirection.

In the embodiment of our invention in a portable fence-machine we equipthe lower end of the frame 20, which is disposed in a vertical position,with a track-wheel 78, that is idly journaled on an arbor or bolt 79,mounted in a pair of bearing-plates 80, which are secured firmly to thefoot of the post or frame 20, and this frame is, furthermore, providedwith a handle 81, which is shown in the form of a bail having its endssecured firmly to the frame 20, so that the operator may steady themachine and pull the same in a direction to assist in its advancement.

We will now proceed to describe the propulsion mechanism, which isadapted to frictionally grip certain of the line-wires or longitudinalstrands for the purpose of advancing or feeding the machine lengthwiseof said strands across the field. In this connection it is to berecalled that the shaft of the master-wheel D is designed to rotate thegrippers of the propulsion mechanism, and to effect this end the shaft36 has one end extended to receive a bevel gear-pinion 82, the purposeof which will presently appear.

A brace-bracket S3 is secured firmly to the frame 20 on the oppositeside from the twister mechanism, and said bracket extends outwardly fromthe frame, above and parallel to the shaft-36 of the master-wheel D, theouter end of said bracket being provided with spaced vertical openings84.

85 86 designate the pair of gripper-shafts which are arranged in uprightor vertical positions on the side of the machine opposite to the twistermechanism, and these grippershafts are disposed in parallel relation toeach IIO other, so as to lie on opposite sides of the vertical series ofstrand-wires which are stretched across the field, said shafts passingfreely or idly through the openings 84 in the fixed brace-bracket 83.

For supporting the parallel gripper-shafts we provide upper and lowerbearing-brackets 87 SS, and these bearingbrackets are each constructedin sections adjnstably connected together and provided with means fordrawing the sections and the gripper-shafts adjustably together for thepurpose of making the gripper-heads on said shafts engage frictionallywith the strand-wires. Each bracket 87 or 88 is provided with astationary yoke S9,which is integral with a base-plate 89, that isfastened firmly to the frame 29 between a pair of flanges 22 on'adjacent shaft-boxings 21, and the stationary yoke 89 forms spacedbearings for the grippershaft 95, near the upperand lower ends thereof.Each bracket is furthermore provided with a movable yoke 90, which ispivoted to the stationary part of the bracket by a vertical pin or bolt91, and the movable yokes 90 of the upper and lower brackets providebearings for the grippershaft 86, near its respective ends. The yokes ofeach bearing-bracket 87 or 88 are adapted to be drawn together by anadjustable bolt 92, which passes through suitable openings in the yokesat one side of the gripper-shafts and in a manner for the head of thebolt to bear against the movable yoke while the nut of said bolt bearsagainst the stationary yoke.

The gripper-shafts 85 8b are provided with pairs of gripper-heads 93,and in the drawings we have shown each gripper-shaftas having a seriesof four heads, the heads on one grippershaft being disposed incorresponding relation to the heads on the other gripper-shaft, wherebythe series of heads are grouped in pairs adapted to engage with oppositesides of the strand-wires. It will be understood that the number ofgripper-heads on the shafts is not material and that the same may beincreased or decreased at will, but we prefer to employ four heads onthe two shafts, near the upper ends thereof, and a like nu mber on theshafts near the lower ends thereof, so that the yokes of thebearing-brackets may fit between the said heads on the shafts in amanner to restrain the shafts against vertical movement within the yokesof said brackets. If desired, suitable washers may be interposed betweenthe yokes and the heads to reduce the friction on the parts, and ifnecessary the adjusting-bolts 92 may be provided with yieldable orspring tension devices adapted to yieldingly hold the pairs ofgripper-heads in contact with the strand-wires. The gripper-heads mayeach have smooth frictional working surfaces, but one or more of thegripper-heads may be provided with serrated working faces, an instanceof which is represented by the numeral 94 on the head at the upperextremityof the gripper-shaft 85.

94 designates the gripper driving gear,

which is arranged in a horizontal position beneath the outer end of thefixed brace-bracket 83, so as to bear firmly against the latter, andsaid gear 94 is provided in its hub with an enlarged central opening 94which permits the two gripper-shafts to pass freely through said hu band enables the dri vin g-gear to rotate freely around the shafts. Thisgear 94 is provided on its periphery with a continuous series of bevelgear-teeth 95, and it is furthermore provided with a depending annularflange 96, the inner surface of which is formed with a series ofspur-gear teeth 97. These internal teeth 97 do not extend continuouslyaround the flange of the gear 94, but, as shown by Fig. 15, these teethextend only about halfway around the flange, thus forming a mutilatedgearon the flange of the gripper drivinggear 94. On the gripper-shaft 86is firmly secured a double spur gear-pinion 98, which lies contiguous tothe gripper driving-gear 94, and one member of this double pinion 98 isarranged to mesh with a single gear-pinion on the gripper-shaft 85,while the other member of said double pinion 98 meshes with the internalmutilated teeth 97 on the gripper driving-gear. This driving-gear 94 isheld against displacement with relation to the gripper-shafts byanannular flange 99, resting upon the double pinion 98, and the hub ofsaid gear bearing against the lower face of the brace-bracket 83. Thegripper drivinggear 94 is arranged for its bevel-teeth 95 to meshdirectly with the bevel-pinion 92 on the shaft 36 of the master-wheel D,and thus the gear 94 is adapted to rotate continuously around thegripper-shafts 85 86. The grippershafts are geared directly together forrotation in opposite directions, and during onehalf of the rotation ofthe gear 94 the grippershafts are adapted to remain at rest, because theinternal teeth 97 do not engage with the double pinion 9b, but in thecontinued rotation of the gear 94 the teeth 97 thereof intermesh withthe teeth of the pinion 98 for rotating one gripper-shaft, which in turnpropels the other gripper-shaft. The drivinggear for the propellingmechanism formed by the gripper-shafts allows the latter to remain idleor at rest during the periods of rotation of the shuttles with therotary supports or elements; but when the shuttles are shifted fromcertain rotary elements to the alternate rotary elements thedriving-gear 94 actuates the gripper-shafts to rotate the latter andadvance the machine simultaneously with the spread of the woof-wiresfrom the shuttles.

In the operation of the machine in the open field for the fabrication ofa wire fence the line-wires are stretched between the posts at properintervals from each other, and they are passed through-the tubularshafts of the series of rotary supports A to J, inclusive, on themachine. The spools or bobbins having been previously wound with wire ofproper size to form the meshes of the fence fabric are fitted to theopen frames of the shuttlecarriers and suitably confined thereinforrotation on their axes to permit the woof-wires to be drawn oruncoiled freely from said spools. With the twister mechanism in aposition shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings the series of shuttles areengaged with the rotary support-s A C E G I by the advancement of themembers 48 of the clutches associated with said supports; but theclutches of the other supports B D F H J are retracted for the prongs orarms of the clutch members 48 to engage with said supports and make theclutch members 48 rotate idly therewith. In this position of theelements the teeth 97 of the gripper driving-gear 94 are free from thedouble pinion 9b of the gripper-shafts to allow the propelling mechanismto remain at rest, although the gripperdriving-gear 94 rotatescontinuously with the shaft of the master-wheel D. On the rotation ofthe drivingshaft- 73 the master-wheel D is driven to rotate the supportsor elements A to J, inclusive, simultaneously, the elements A O E G Irotating in one direction and carrying therewith the series of shuttlesto constitute the active rotary elements, while the alternate rotaryelements B D F H J rotate in the opposite direction and form for thetime being the inactive supports or elements. As the series of supportsA O E G I begin their rotation the shuttles travel with them, saidshuttles being made fast therewith by the clutches, so as to assume thepositions shown by Fig. 3, and as the driving-shaft 73 is rotated byhand in the proper direction the shuttles travel with said elements A OE G I until each pair of shuttles shall have made two complete turnsaround the axes afforded by the shafts of said series of rotarysupports, whereby the woof-wires of the shuttles which travel with saidactive rotary supports are twisted around the alternate line-wires. Nowon the completion of the second rotary movement of the elements A O E GI with the crank-shaft 73 rotating in the same direction the shuttlesarrive at positions where the studs 67 on the heads thereof coincidewith the notched ends of the clutch-bars 30 on the previously inactiveseries of rotary supports B D F H J, and at this instant the cam of theclutch-shifter 58 acts on the yoke of the shiftable bar 53 to quicklymove the latter in one direction for retracting the clutches of theelements A G E G I from engagement with the shuttles and tosimultaneously advance the clutches of the members B D F H J, wherebythe clutches make the shuttles fast with the last-named series of rotaryelements, and the shuttles are thus transferred automatically from theseries of rotary elements A O E G I to the alternate series of elementsB D F H J. At the period of shifting the shuttles the gripperdriving-gear 94 engages with the bevel gearpinion 98 to rotate thegripper-shafts, and thus the machine is advanced by the propulsionmechanism simultaneously with the spread of the woof-wires due to theshifting of the shuttles from one series of rotary elements to the otheralternate series of rotary elements, and when the gripper driving-gear94 shall have made a half-turn it is automatically thrown out of meshwiththe double pinion 98 on the grippershaft 86 to allow the propulsionmechanism to remain at rest temporarily. The shuttles in their newrelations and in the series of supports B D F H J, as shown by Fig. 4,rotate with said series of the elements twice around the axes affordedby the shafts of said elements, and thus the woof-Wires from the bobbinon the elements B D F H J are coiled on those longitudinal strands whichalternate with the strands around which the woof wires were firsttwisted. At the completion of the second rotation of the series ofrotary elements B D F H J the clutchshifter is actuated by themaster-wheel to move the shifting-bar in the being propelled at alltimes continuously in one direction. These operations are continueduntil the supply of woof-wire in the bobbins shall have been exhaustedor the desired length of the fence shall have been woven. In the eventof exhaustion of the woof-wires the bobbins may easily be removed fromthe shuttles and a fresh supply of wire coiled thereon, after which thefilled bobbins may easily be replaced in the shuttles, because thelatter are accessible at all times to the operator.

Although we have described and illustrated the twister mechanism asembodied in a portable machine and adapted for use conjointly with apropelling mechanism by which the machine is advanced automatically inthe intervals between the periods of rotation of the shuttles with therotary supports around the line-wires, we do not desire to strictlyconfine ourselves to the employment of the described twister mechanismin connection with the propelling mechanism, because we are aware thatparts of our inventionas, for instance, the twister mechanism, includingthe time-controlled clutchesmay be embodiedin the construction of amachine especially adapted for use in a factory for the manufacture ofwire fabrics.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details ofconstruction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or sacrificin g any of the advantagesof this invention.

One important feature of the propelling mechanism of our machine is thegripper driving-gear 94, which fits loosely around the gripper-shaftsand is adapted to be adjusted or turned to the right or left for thepurpose of bringing its internal gear-segment 97 into mesh at variableperiods in the operation of the machine, so as to adapt the machine formaking square mesh fabric or different shapes in the mesh of the fencein the course of erection in the field.

With the propelling mechanism maybe associated suitable guides for theline-wires, which guides may be supported on the brackets or othersuitable part of the machine and disposed in advance of thegripper-heads.

What we claim is- 1. In a portable fence-machine, the combination withthe frame, of the twister mechanism, a propelling mechanism foradvancing the machine bodily, and a drivingmechanism operativelyconnected with the twister mechanism and with the propelling mechanism,and having means for causing the latter to remain inactive during thetwisting operation, and to automatically come into play during theshifting of the twister elements, substantially as set forth.

2. In a portable fence-machine, the combination with a frame, of atwister mechanism having shuttles arranged in pairs to rotate around acommon center and to shift laterally with respect to each other, apropelling mechanism for advancing the machine bodily, and a drivingmechanism connected operatively to the twister mechanism and thepropelling mechanism for actuating the latter during the periods of theshiftable play of the shuttles, substantially as described.

3. In a portable fence-machine, the combination with a frame, of atwister mechanism having the shuttles, a propelling mechanism withgripper devices arranged to engage with line-wires and to advance themachine bodily, and a driving mechanism operatively connected with thetwister mechanism and with the propelling mechanism to actuate thegrippers thereof during the periods of the shiftable movement of theshuttles, substantially as described.

I. In a portable fence-machine, the combination with a frame, of apropelling mechanism provided with revoluble gripper-shafts having theheads arranged in groups to grip the line-wires of a fence, adriving-shaft i11- tergeared with the gripper-shafts to rotate thelatter intermittently, and a twister mechanism having the shiftableshuttles and driven from the same shaft that actuates the propellingmechanism, substantially as described.

5. In a portable fence-machine, the combination with a frame, of apropelling mechanism having the revoluble grippers arranged in groups toengage with the line-wires of a fence, a twister mechanism with theshiftable shuttles, a driving-shaft actuating the twister mechanism, andgearing between said driving-shaft and the grippers for rotating thelatter intermittently and in the intervals between the rotation of theshuttles around the axes of rotary supports forming elements of thetwister mechanism, substantially as described.

6. In a portable fence-machine, a gripping mechanism consisting ofparallel shafts intergeared together for rotation in opposite directionssimultaneously, and means geared to one of the shafts for rotating thesame, substantially as described.

7. In a portable fencc-machine,a propelling or advancing mechanismconsisting of gripper-shafts provided with the heads arranged in groupsto receive line-wires between themselves, and gearing for rotating thegripper shafts and heads in opposite directions simultaneously,substantially as described.

8. In a portable fence-machine,a propelling mechanism for advancing orfeeding the machine consisting of parallel shafts provided withgripper-heads arranged in groups to receive the line-wires betweenthemselves, a driving-shaft, and gearing between said driving-shaft andthe gripper-shafts'to rotate the latter simultaneously in oppositedirections, one element of the driving-gear rotating continuously withthe driving-shaft, substantially as described.

9. In aportable fence-machine,apropelling mechanism for advancing themachine bodily consisting of parallel shafts having the gripper-headsarranged in groups to receive linewires between themselves, gearingconnectin g the two shafts directly together and rotating the same inopposite directions, a drivingshaft, and a gripper driving-gearsupported concentric with said parallel shafts to rotate freely aroundthe same andintermeshing with a driving-shaft and with a pinion on oneof said parallel shafts, substantially as described.

10. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism consisting ofparallel shafts having the gripper-heads, a driving-shaft, anddriving-gearing between said shaft and the parallel shafts to rotate thelatter intermittently while one member of said drivinggear rotatescontinuously, substantially as described.

11. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism consisting ofparallel shafts having gripper-heads arranged in groups or pairs, adouble pinion on one of said shafts and geared to the other shaftdirectly for rotating the gripper-heads in opposite directions, agripper driving-gear rotating around the parallel shafts and havinginternal teeth arranged to mesh with the compound pinion, and adriving-shaft meshing with said driving'gear, substantially asdescribed.-

12. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism eonsisting ofshafts having gripper-heads arranged in groups or pairs, a compoundpinion fast with one of the shafts and geared directly to the othershaft, a driving-gear having internal teeth forming a mutilatedgear-segment arranged to mesh with the compound pinion and rotate theparallel shafts intermittently, and a driving-shaft meshing with thedriving-gear to rotate the latter continuously, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism consisting ofshafts having the gripper-heads, adjustable supporting devices connectedwith said shafts and adapted to draw the shafts and the gripper-headsthereon into lateral relation to each other, and a driving-gear forrotating the shafts in opposite directions, substantially as described.

14. .In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism consisting ofparallel shafts having the gripper-heads, means for adj usting theshafts and heads laterally with respect to each other, and adriving-gear for rotating the shafts and heads in opposite directions,substantially as described.

15. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling-gear consisting ofparallel shafts having the gripper-heads, supporting-brackets havingadjustable members furnishing the bearings for said shafts and adaptedto adjust the latter relatively to each other, and gearing for rotatingsaid shafts and the heads thereon, substantially as described.

16. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism comprising thefixed brackets having a stationary yoke and the pivoted yokes, means foradjusting the pivoted yokes with relation to the stationary yokes,grippershafts journaled respectively in the stationary and movable yokesof said brackets, and a driving=gear operatively connected with saidshafts, substantially as described.

17. In a portable fence-machine, a propelling mechanism consisting ofstationary brackets having the rigid yokes, movable yokes jointed tosaid brackets, bolts for adjnstablyconfining the movable yokes withrelation to the stationary yokes, gripper-shafts j ournaled in thestationary and movable yokes of the brackets and provided with thegripper-heads arranged in groups or pairs, and a driving-gear connectedoperatively with the gripper-shafts to rotate the latter in oppositedirections, substantially as described.

18. In a fence-making machine, a twister mechanism consisting of aseries of intergeared rotary supports,driving mechanism for saidintergeared rotary supports, shiftable clutches associated with andcarried by each 7 rotary support, and shifting devices, operated by thedriving mechanism, for adjusting the shuttle-engaging elements of theclutches, substantially as set forth.

19. In a fence-machine, a twister mechanism consisting of a series ofintergeared rotary supports, a clutch mechanism for each rotary supportand having a member shiftable laterally with relation to and arranged tonormally engage with said gear to rotate therewith, means for shiftingthe entire train n of clutches simultaneously, and shuttles activelyfitted to the rotary supports and adapted to be made fast therewith bythe laterallyshiftable members of the clutches, substantially asdescribed.

20. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotarysupports, of a train of shiftable clutches associated individually withsaid supports and each having a revoluble member which turns at alltimes with its support, and a shifting mechanism connected with eachclutch and operative from one of said rotary supports, substantially asdescribed.

21. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotarysupports, of a train of shiftable clutches each having its membersrevolubly coupled together and one of said members normally fitted tothe support'with which said clutch is associated, coacting cams andprojections for moving the other member of each clutch, the shuttles,and a shifting device connected with all the clutches to control therelation of the revoluble clutch members to said shuttles, substantiallyas described.

22. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotarysupports, and shaftbearings thereof, of a train of two-part clutcheseach fitted to one shaft-bearing in active relation to the latter andone rotary support, one member of said clutch engaging with the bearingto be shifted endwise and the other clutch member being connectedrevolubly with the rotary support and the shifting clutch member, theshuttles connected shiftably with said supports, and a clutchshiftingdevice connected with the train of clutches, substantially as described.

23. In a fence-machine, the combination with rotary supports, andshaft-bearings therefor, of two-part clutches each having a cam-groovedmember connected with studs on the bearing and also provided with arevoluble member which is connected normally with the rotary support andthe oscillating member, and a shifting device associated with theshiftable clutch members, substantially as described.

24. In a fence machine, a two-part clutch comprising an oscillatingmember with a grooved flange and a revoluble member coupled to saidoscillating member to rotate freely thereon, combined with rotarysupports which are fitted to the revoluble clutch members, and means forchanging the relaseries of clutches having members shiftable laterallywith relation to the supports and longitudinally of the axes thereof,shuttles carried by said supports, and a shifting mechanism operatedfrom one of the supports and connected with the clutches, substantiallyas set forth.

27. In a fence-machine, a twister mechanism comprising rotary slottedsupports each having a clutch-bar, shuttles provided with studded headsarranged to fit between the supports and the clutch-bars and having thestuds located to be engaged by the clutchbars,and clutches cooperatingwith the shuttles and the rotary supports to hold the shuttles againstdropping out of the supports during the rotation thereof, substantiallyas described.

28. In a fence-machine, a twister mechanism comprising rotary slottedsupports having the spaced and notched clutch-bars, the shuttles eachhaving a slotted and studded head operatively fitted to the rotarysupports, and shiftable clutches each having a revoluble member arrangedto engage with the rotary supports and the shuttlestl1ereon,substantially as descrlbed.

29. In a fence-machine, a twister mechanism comprising a series ofintergeared rotary supports each having means for supporting a shuttleand said supports arranged to be r0- tated in opposite directionssimultaneously for one series of supports to be active and the otherintermediate series of supports to remain inactive temporarily, a trainof clutch devices each associated with one of said supports and having arotary member normally in engagement with one rotary support, a shiftingappliance connected with each of the clutches and arranged to throw therevoluble members of the clutches on the active series of twisters intoprojected positions and to retract the revoluble clutch members of theinactive supports, and shiftable shuttles connected in pairs to theactive rotary supports by the active clutches to rotate with saidsupports around the axes thereof and adapted to be shiftedautomatically, by reversal of the clutches, into like engagement withthe temporarily-inactive supports, substantially as described.

30. In a fence-machine, a twister mechanism comprising shaft-bearingseach having the fixed stud, rotary supports fitted to the bearings, atwo-part clutch for each bearing and support and each clutch having acamgrooved member fitted to the stud to be shifted endwise thereby andalso having a member which is coupled revolubly to the support and theshiftable clutch member to be retracted and advanced by the latter,means for turning the shiftable clutch members on their axes, andshuttles fitted actively to the rotary supports, substantially asdescribed.

31. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotaryshuttle-supports, of a master wheel for driving said supports,

clutches having elements shiftable laterally with relation to thesupports and longitudinally of the axes thereof, and a shiftingmechanism connected with said clutches and connected operatively withthe master-wheel to be actuated at intervals thereby, substantially asdescribed.

32. In a fence-making machine, the combination with a series of rotaryshuttle-supports, of a master-wheel for driving said supports, clutcheshaving elements shiftable laterally with relation to the supports andlongitudinally of the axes thereof, a clutch-shifter interposed in thepath of the master-wheel.

and rotated thereby in one direction with a step-by-step movement, andconnections between the clutch-shifter and the clutches,substantially asset forth.

33. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotaryshuttle-supports, of a master-Wheel for driving said supports, shiftableclutches cooperating with the supports, a clutch-shifter interposed inthe path of the master-wheel and rotated continuously in one directionwith a step-by-step movement by said wheel and provided with a cam, anda shiftable rod or bar connected to the clutches and lying in the pathof the shifter-cam, substantially as described.

34. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotaryshuttlesupports, and shiftable clutches, of a master wheel for rotatingsaid supports and having a stud, a revoluble shifter-wheel havingfingers lying in the path of said stud and also provided with a cam, anda shiftable bar connected with the clutches and disposed in the path ofsaid cam, substantially as described.

35. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotaryshuttle-supports, and shiftable clutches, of a master-wheel for rotatingsaid supports, a revoluble clutch-shifter, cooperating devices on themaster-wheel and the clutch-shifter to preliminarily position theshifter and to turn the latter in an arc by the movement of the Wheel,and connections be= tween the clutch-shafts and the clutches, substantially as described.

36. In a fence-machine, the combination with a series of rotarysupports, and shiftable clutches, of a master-wheel geared to saidsupports and having a divided annular flange and the stud, aclutch-shifter provided with fingers arranged alternately and disposedrespectively in the path of said flange one another, gripper-shaftsjournaled in corresponding members of the supports and each havinggripper-heads arranged in groups to receive fence-wires, and a drivingmechanism connected actively with the gripper-shafts to rotate the sameunder all adjustments of the sectional supports, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own We have heretoaffixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN ARTHUR SOHEYHING.

AARON MATHIAS SOHEYHING. Witnesses:

M. D. TYRRELL,

O. W. EIDSON.

